A HIGH RIDE

The Standifer home in Ada, Oklahoma, bordered the Frisco railroad tracks.  A siding was between the property and the main track.  A circus used the siding during their annual visit to Ada.  Elephants were used to unload and move their carts to the performance site.

Ken was sitting on the section house * watching the activities.  One of the elephant handlers asked if he would like to ride the elephant.  Without hesitation, he answered yes.  The handler moved the elephant alongside the section house.  He told the boy to jump onto the elephant’s back and showed him where to hold the harness as he straddled the animal.

He rode atop the huge animal as it pulled carts off the flat cars and positioned them so they could be pulled to the circus site.

After the ride, the handler positioned the elephant close to the section house and Ken jumped back onto the house.  This was an exciting experience for a nine- year- old boy.  He thought he was king of the world.

• building in which equipment was stored